The incident happened at around 10.30pm on Thursday, April 27 at the Spar store on Woodplumpton Road, Fulwood.

The three men entered the store with one brandishing a large knife. The man with the knife forced the cashier and another worker into the staff area while the other two emptied the till and cigarette display into the bedsheet.

DC Justin Singleton, of Preston CID, said: “This incident happened at a busy local shop and both members of staff have been through an extremely terrifying ordeal. I am appealing to anyone who has any knowledge of the men involved to please get in touch.

“I am also keen to speak to the two men who came into the shop and would urge them to come forward as I believe that they may have witnessed this robbery.

“It is possible the men left the area in a vehicle so I would also urge anyone who was in the area and saw any suspicious vehicles around the junction of Cadley Causeway and Woodplumpton Road around the time of the robbery to make contact with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log reference 1629 of April 27th.

Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.